Executive Coaching: What to Expect, How it Works and more.
At this point, you understand why executive coaching is beneficial, but you might still be wondering how the process works. The executive coaching journey is a structured and dynamic one which we design together to maximize your potential and achieve meaningful results.
Setting Your Coaching Goals
One of the initial steps in the executive coaching process is setting clear coaching goals. These goals serve as the North Star guiding your coaching journey. Whether you're aiming to enhance your leadership skills, improve your communication, or address specific challenges within your organization, your executive coach will work closely with you to define these objectives.
Your goals should be HARD - Heartfelt, Animated, Required, and Difficult. This framework emphasizes setting goals that have a strong emotional connection (heartfelt), motivate and excite you (animated), are necessary for your personal or professional growth (required), and are challenging (difficult). I gravitate towards this framework because authenticity in leadership is a core value and this helps us get to who you authentically are as a leader.
A HARD goal can look like this:
“Within the next 12 months, lead a cross-functional team to implement a company-wide strategic initiative resulting in a minimum 20% increase in operational efficiency and a measurable improvement in employee engagement."
Heartfelt: This goal is heartfelt because you are genuinely committed to making a positive impact on your organization. You are passionate about leadership and want to create a work environment where employees thrive while achieving operational excellence.
Animated: The goal is animated because you are enthusiastic about the challenge of leading a cross-functional team and driving change within your organization. You are excited about the opportunity to make a significant impact.
Required: This goal is required because it aligns with your career aspirations and the expectations of your role as an executive leader. Achieving these results is crucial for your professional growth and the success of your organization.
Difficult: Leading a cross-functional team to implement a strategic initiative with such ambitious targets is undoubtedly a difficult task. It involves not only strategic thinking but also effective team management, communication, and change leadership skills.
This HARD goal not only focuses on achieving SMART tactics (which we are more used to seeing in practice): specific, measurable outcomes but also addresses your passion, motivation, and the challenging nature of executive leadership.
The Role of Assessments and Feedback
I can employ various assessments and feedback mechanisms to gather insights about your strengths and areas for improvement. These assessments can include personality assessments, 360-degree feedback surveys, and self-assessments.
For example, a 360-degree feedback survey may involve collecting feedback from your peers, subordinates, and superiors. This feedback can be eye-opening, revealing how your actions and behaviors are perceived by others. With this information, you and your coach can identify patterns and areas that require attention.
The goal is to provide you with a comprehensive view of your leadership style and performance, as well as impact on others, and use this information to co-create your future and design your coaching sessions around this future.
Customized Coaching Plans
Once your coaching goals are established and assessments are complete, we will co-create a customized coaching plan which outlines the strategies, exercises, and sessions that will help you achieve your objectives. It's a roadmap that details the steps you'll take on your journey to success.
My coaching plans are highly personalized, as they cater to your unique needs and preferences. If, for instance, you're aiming to increase the authenticity of your leadership at work. Part of the plan may include testing what is comfortable for you to share and what your personal boundaries are so you can increase authenticity but also retain some personal boundaries as well., and then practicing some of those conversations for feedback.
The Importance of Regular Sessions
Executive coaching is an ongoing process that involves regular coaching sessions. These sessions typically last an hour and occur at regular intervals, such as bi-weekly or monthly meetings. The consistency of these sessions is vital for your continued growth and development.
During these sessions, we will engage in meaningful conversations while working towards achieving your roadmap. You'll discuss your progress, challenges, and successes. I will offer new perspectives, and help you navigate obstacles. These sessions are your dedicated time for self-improvement, where you can openly explore your leadership journey.
Implementing What You've Learned
Coaching isn't just about gaining knowledge; it's about applying that knowledge to drive positive change. Throughout your coaching journey, you'll learn valuable insights and acquire new skills. It's crucial to implement what you've learned in your daily professional life.
I will support you in this phase by providing guidance on how to transfer coaching insights into action. You'll create action plans and strategies to integrate your learning into your leadership role.
